AC Milan vs. Barcelona: Missing Defensive Stars Will Doom Rossoneri

Barcelona is going to take advantage of a thin AC Milan back line to win their upcoming quarterfinal UEFA Champions League match.

These two iconic clubs are set to play two. The first is Wednesday in San Siro. Barca is going to take that match as they take advantage of a couple of key players missing the contest for Milan. 

The biggest absence for Milan is central defender Thiago Silva. He limped out of Milan's match against Roma with a leg injury and is going to miss four weeks of action. Alessandro Nesta will likely take his spot. 

Silva is a key to the defense and also adds some offensive punch. In fact, he scored when these two battled to a 2-2 draw earlier in the season.

He isn't the only player Milan will be missing either. Right-back Ignazio Abate is also out for this match. Daniele Bonera will likely start in his place. 

This is a bad time to be playing Barca with a defense that is less than 100 percent. They come in having won nine straight matches and are playing better than they have all year.

Barca has a few injury concerns of their own, which means their front line is a bit of a mystery. It will likely feature Lionel Messi in the middle as he is partnered with Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez. 

Messi will make sure this line performs at a high level, and with a thin back for Milan, this won't be as challenging as it should be. 

Barca will control possession and dictate the flow. They will win this match 3-2.